UWindsor computer science student Matthew Muscedere, Rising Star Award recipient, is set to return to Amazon as a Software Development Engineer after graduation. (SUBMITTED BY MATTHEW MUSCEDERE/University of Windsor)
By Victor Romao
Innovation and ambition have propelled University of Windsor computer science student Matthew Muscedere to new heights.
From optimizing cloud systems at Amazon’s Toronto tech hub to engineering identity governance solutions at GreenShield, his journey reflects the power of experiential learning and determination.
Muscedere, a Rising Star Award winner, shares how his experiences prepared him for a full-time role at Amazon and shaped his career ambitions.
Q: Can you tell me about your co-op experience with Amazon?
A: My four-month co-op at Amazon’s YYZ18 office in Toronto was incredible.
I worked on optimizing Amazon Aurora system tests—automated checks that ensure the reliability of the company’s cloud-based database.
My project improved test efficiency and speed by more than 90 per cent.
It was a full software development lifecycle experience.
I owned the design, implementation and testing phases and applied Amazon’s Leadership Principles every day.
Having a mentor and collaborating with talented engineers helped me grow professionally and improve my code quality.
Q: How did your studies at the University of Windsor prepare you for these roles?
A: My coursework in data structures, algorithms and artificial intelligence gave me the technical foundation I needed.
The Co-operative Education and Workplace Partnerships program was equally important — it connected me with opportunities like Amazon and GreenShield that allowed me to apply what I learned in real-world settings.
Q: What have you been working on since your co-op ended?
A: Alongside finishing my final semester, I’ve been working part-time as an Information Security Consultant at GreenShield.
My responsibilities have expanded into acting as the primary internal engineer for the company’s identity governance platform.
I design automations and analytics that drive identity lifecycle logic, handle provisioning and deprovisioning and support major IAM initiatives across IT.
It’s given me hands-on experience in identity governance and automation—areas I’m passionate about.
Q: What’s next for you after graduation?
A: I recently received a full-time return offer from Amazon and will be rejoining the Aurora organization as a Software Development Engineer this June.
Before that, I plan to continue working full time in identity governance and automation early next year.
Matthew’s story is proof that co-op experiences can spark career-defining opportunities.
With a Rising Star Award under his belt and a full-time role at Amazon on the horizon, he is ready to make an impact in software engineering and beyond — showcasing how UWindsor talent thrives on the global stage.
New employers looking to learn more about hiring a co-op student can contact Co-operative Education and Workplace Partnerships at employer@uwindsor.ca.
This article is part of a series celebrating excellence in experiential learning. Co-operative Education and Workplace Partnerships selected Rising Star Award recipients whose stories will inspire future co-op students throughout the 2025/26 school year.